Fairfield Holds Off Canisius 61-55 Behind Balanced Attack

Fairfield improved to 13-9 on the season with a 61-55 win over Canisius at the Leo D. Mahoney Arena, a result that was largely in line with pre-game expectations. CHD Scout had predicted a 10.8-point victory for the Stags, and while the actual margin was slightly narrower at six points, the outcome was never truly in doubt. Braden Sparks and Deuce Turner paced Fairfield with 14 points apiece, forming a potent one-two punch that Canisius struggled to contain.

The Stags dominated the first half, taking a 31-22 lead into the break behind efficient shooting and stingy defense. Canisius, meanwhile, labored to find its rhythm, with top performer Bryan Ndjonga shouldering much of the scoring burden. Ndjonga finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, a impressive individual effort that ultimately wasn't enough to propel the Golden Griffins to victory.

In the second half, Canisius made a concerted push to close the gap, outscoring Fairfield 33-30 over the final 20 minutes. However, the Stags' advantage proved too great to overcome, and they held on for the six-point win. Brandon Benjamin was a key factor in Fairfield's success, chipping in 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to help control the paint.

While the win won't necessarily move the needle for Fairfield in terms of its tournament chances, it does represent a solid addition to the Stags' resume. This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for both teams, and Fairfield's ability to take care of business against a lower-ranked opponent will be viewed favorably by the selection committee. For Canisius, the loss drops the Golden Griffins to 8-13 on the season, and they must regroup quickly in order to make a push for a postseason berth.

The victory also underscores the importance of balanced scoring for Fairfield, which has struggled at times to find consistent production beyond its top performers. With Sparks, Turner, and Benjamin all contributing in meaningful ways, the Stags were able to overcome a solid effort from Canisius and emerge with the win. As the season enters its final stretch, Fairfield want to build on this performance and make a strong case for itself as a tournament contender.

In terms of resume implications, this result is unlikely to have a major impact on Fairfield's tournament chances, but it does help to solidify the Stags' position as a mid-tier team in the NCAA landscape. With a current NET ranking of 247, Fairfield still has work to do in order to become a serious contender, but wins like this one will certainly help to bolster its case. For Canisius, the loss is a setback, but the Golden Griffins' Quadrant 4 designation for this game means that it won't be overly damaging to their resume.